Jane Morrice:

this could mean the best of both worlds for NI,

In the midst of the political turmoil surrounding the closing stages of the Brexit negotiations, there are certain things of which we can be sure.

The first is that the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better, whether or not we leave the European Union.

The second is that the serious questions being asked about flaws in the way the referendum was funded and operated will continue to be debated for months, if not years, to come.

The third is that the constitutional confusion created by any UK withdrawal will shake the foundations not only of the UK but also the EU, including Ireland, for years, even decades, in the future.

So, what can we salvage from this potential shipwreck of a situation from which there looks to be little means of escape?

Leaving aside my genuine belief that the UK should have remained in the EU for reasons which are more and more obvious as the negotiations continue, the push for a People’s Vote is becoming irresistible.

The European Movement Northern Ireland, of which I am honorary president, has put its weight behind the excellent work being done on this by young people in particular in the People’s Vote, Our Future Our Choice, Derry Girls Against Borders and many other groups battling against the negative impact of Brexit in Northern Ireland.

But, without a People’s Vote, possibly changing the will of the people based on a more informed debate and new knowledge and understanding of what Brexit actually means, the only choice left for Northern Ireland is to hold tight to every lifeline thrown.

The biggest and best in these sorry circumstances must be the backstop which surely offers the best of both worlds.

By possibly staying in the single market and the customs union, Northern Ireland could become the envy of the British Isles, attracting foreign direct investment from far and wide in its position as a gateway to Europe, the UK and the rest of the world. Is it any wonder Scotland wants the same lifeline?

The backstop must be recognised as a generous concession offered to Northern Ireland by the EU coming from a sincere commitment to ensure the border remains seamless, the peace process is protected and the Good Friday Agreement is upheld.

Any argument that the backstop threatens the UK constitution by treating Northern Ireland differently must be countered by two important points.

The first is that Northern Ire- land has been treated ‘differently’ from the rest of the UK since we joined the EU.

As an ‘objective one’ region, Northern Ireland got more EU funding than any other UK region and the EU’s unique PEACE Programme has invested €2 billion in cross-community and cross-border projects, thanks to former EC president Jacques Delors. I don’t remember anyone objecting to that at the time.

Also, when serious infection was threatening our cattle maybe because the UK didn’t follow the EU directives, we were more than happy to change our trade rules to protect animal health and the economy. Finally, the Good Friday Agreement states that the constitutional position of Northern Ireland is guaranteed by the principle of consent so, backstop or no backstop, Northern Ireland will remain in the UK as long as that is the will of the people.

There are many who contend it is not the backstop but Brexit itself which threatens the breakup of the UK and has fuelled the debate on a united Ireland.

The logic in a position which pushes Northern Ireland into a place where divided loyalties become more entrenched and separation grows is quite frankly beyond me.

But Brexit is about much more than a marketplace or a line on a map.

Not having had the opportunity to read the draft withdrawal treaty before going to press, I wonder how many lines in those 500 pages are actually devoted to the rights of Northern Ireland citizens to full rights as EU citizens?

In other words, according to the Good Friday Agreement, it is quite possible that all 1.8 million NI citizens may have the birthright to all the freedoms and benefits offered by the EU even after Brexit, no matter what passport we chose.

This could mean we can still retire to the Costa del Sol and get our pension and European health card, our children can work, study and travel at their leisure in any EU member state, and our grandchildren can have the future they deserve as Europeans.

The logic in a position which pushes NI into a place where separation grows is beyond me